Punjab Outlook

Amritsar — Punjab BJP Spokesperson Prof. Sarchand Singh Khiala has strongly condemned the heartless and irresponsible statement made by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif regarding flood victims. He said that when millions of people in Pakistan are crying helplessly, watching their homes, farmlands, schools of children, and memories of their elders being drowned in flood waters, a responsible minister describing the flood as “God’s blessing” is the biggest slap on humanity.
“Advising people to store water in pots at home and sprinkling salt on the wounds of victims with such foolish remarks can only happen in a country like Pakistan. This statement clearly proves that even during a crisis, Pakistan’s leadership neither has sensitivity towards its people’s pain nor any political responsibility,” Prof. Khiala added.
He further expressed deep shock at the Pakistani government and media for blaming India for the floods. He said that the allegations that India did not provide information about river water flow are completely baseless and far from facts. Prof. Khiala pointed out that after the brutal killing of 26 innocent Indian citizens in Pahalgam (Kashmir) by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, India had annulled the Indus Water Treaty. Despite this, on humanitarian grounds, India consistently alerted Pakistan about river water flows and potential floods.
The Indian High Commission in Islamabad issued three alerts regarding floods in the Chenab river August at 25,. Along with this, India also issued timely warnings about the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers. It was only after these alerts that the Pakistani government began evacuating people from Punjab and Sindh to safer places. All these facts prove that India, based on humanitarian sensitivity, continuously provided warnings and data to Pakistan in order to safeguard the lives and property of its people.
On this occasion, Prof. Khiala strongly criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, saying that while flood-affected families cry for help from their rooftops, the CM’s political drama of portraying his party workers as flood victims has mocked the pain of real sufferers. Such political gimmicks only crush the morale of the victims. Prof. Khiala said that instead of playing politics, the Mann government should admit its failure to make advance preparations for flood prevention, seek forgiveness from the people, and the Chief Minister should resign.
Prof. Khiala also termed the Haryana government’s aid of just ₹5 crore for Punjab’s flood victims as an insult to their suffering. He said Haryana, which has been illegally using Punjab’s waters for years and owes royalty of over ₹5 lakh crore, giving only ₹5 crore in relief is nothing less than a joke.
In conclusion, Prof. Khiala appealed to the Central Government to immediately visit Punjab’s flood-affected regions, hold the victims’ hands, and provide every necessary assistance. He said, “Punjab is currently battling a major natural disaster. If the Centre does not extend immediate support in this hour of crisis, any step taken later will be like ‘Eid ke baad tumba fookana’. The people of Punjab not only need urgent relief but also the assurance that the Centre always stands with them in their joys and sorrows.”